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A Litchfield Garden Keeps Current While Honoring Its Traditional Roots

Written by Tovah Martin

Photos by Kindra Clineff

When a gardener starts digging in at age ten, there’s plenty of time to evolve. Although Glenn Hillman knew from that tender young age historic traditional landscapes would be his focus, he always keeps his finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the field. For Hillman, that means watching many webinars and reading countless books. But he also listens to his land. The result is an informed relationship with the space. But beyond that sensitivity, his property now also reflects give and take with his garden design clients. 

Trained in architectural history, Glenn Hillman’s garden design is perfectly in sync with his surroundings. When he moved to Litchfield with his family in 1993, the two-acre property offered a refreshing opportunity to garden on a sunny spot rather than the shade of his former digs. Given the prominent Litchfield center location, there was never any question that the garden would be formal. And traditional was the orientation that Hillman was comfortable with from his childhood on up, following formative years spent paying call to historic properties like Colonial Williamsburg and Old Sturbridge Village. Even if the house had not come with the remnants of a vintage garden, Hillman would know exactly what was appropriate. But the ghost of a garden still existed. Although the fences were in sorry shape and elements needed revamping, it was the beginning of a beautiful journey. 

Back when Glenn Hillman moved in, the concept of an herb garden felt absolutely right. He loved the practical, utilitarian spin as much as the simple beauty of the herbs themselves. That said, he went with particularly ornamental versions of traditional herbs. Variegated comfrey, golden oregano, silver thyme, and other herbs that combined colors and wove together harmoniously created a pretty matrix. Herbs were just the beginning, he also added a pocket rock garden filled with alpines to celebrate his newfound sunny exposure. He installed a fruit tree allée and capped it with a smartly retro garden/tool shed. In retrospect, he sums up that energetic inception as, “I dove in headfirst.” That said, it has endured the time test. His choice of brickwork and all the original hardscape has weathered beautifully. What has changed dramatically over the decades is his choice of plants.

Hillman traces his major growth spurt as a gardener from the time that he began visiting other gardens. “I was exposed to so many different plants on tours, I began to increase the colors and textures here.” Meanwhile, when he began to design professionally, he felt the pressure to experiment. “I don’t want to take too many risks for a client,” he explains. His adventuresome spirit translated into experiments in his own domain, eventually leading to informed professional choices. In addition, his garden is a showplace to help clients define their horticultural personalities. 

Hillman’s own garden is deftly loved and immaculately groomed, but it’s also the smartly practical composition that he can maintain personally with minimal help. Getting the maintenance down and the aesthetic up is his lifelong goal. Simultaneously, he keeps a finger on the pulse of new movements and understandings in the field. “I want to be able to do anything,” he says of open-minded education to inform his design capabilities for clients, “I’m continually getting nuggets of ideas that inspire new concepts.” 

In spring, Glenn Hillman’s garden is dripping in flowers to create a perfect parfait of flouncy color, strong in structure to hold the glory. It’s the stuff of dreams. His goal is to continually increase that crescendo with poofy shrub borders, billowing trees, and great plant selections. He’s tirelessly experimenting with native plants and their compatibility with the Litchfield climate. He’s gathering ideas from other globally important garden designers. “I used to be isolated,” he admits. Now the whole world is his classroom.

Explore Litchfield County this May with a myriad of fun events, from nature walks to a pickle fest, art exhibits, live music, and more.  

May 1

Tasting Dinner, NEW MILFORD
Join Chef Dino Kolitsas from Greca as he takes guests on a guided tour of the Greek kitchen’s millenia-long love affair with the sea. Dishes will include taramosalata, grilled octopus, bronzino, midopilafo (mussels pilaf) and more. 6:30 pm

The Three Amigos, LITCHFIELD
Join the Three Amigos, Rabbi Eric Polokoff, Father Joe Donnelly and Imam Gazmend Aga as they reflect on the resources for real hope and repair that each of their religious traditions offer. The day will offer participants quiet time to consider what the Three Amigos speak about as well as the opportunity to ask them questions. 9 am – 3 pm.

May 2

Ancient Aliens Live, TORRINGTON
The Warner Theatre will host Ancient Aliens LIVE: Project Earth, a live, in-person event that will explore questions as old as the planet itself: Have extraterrestrials visited Earth? Are they here now, and when will they reveal themselves? 7:30 pm.

An Evening with John Dear, LITCHFIELD
Meet Rev. John Dear as he signs your books at Wisdom House. In this new and original work, John walks us through every line of the three synoptic Gospels pointing out Jesus’ practice and teachings of nonviolence each step of the way and invites us to become practitioners of creative nonviolence like Jesus. Copies of The Gospel of Peace will be available for purchase at Wisdom House in the bookstore before and at the event. 7 PM – 8:30 PM.

Artists’ Talk, LITCHFIELD
Artists’ Talk on ‘Inspiration and Technique’ with Sally Frank & Wendy Costa
Free – Live, In-Person & Live on Zoom – Registration required for In-Person
7 pm – 8 pm.

Spring Bog Talk & Walk, WOODBURY
Join area naturalists, Barbara and Peter Rzasa, at the Whittemore Sanctuary for a presentation describing the formation of bogs, plants found in bogs, and how to build a do-it-yourself mini-bog measuring less than four square feet containing several easily grown wetland plants. Then, join them on a walk at the Whittemore Sanctuary to view these native wetland plants. Talk: Thursday, May 2 at 7 pm in the studio. Walk: Saturday, May 4 at 10 am at the Whittemore Sanctuary.

May 3

Photography Walk , LITCHFIELD
Join fine art photographer and instructor Thad Kubis for a 90-minute walk around Laurel Ridge Farm. Known for their annual spring display of tens of thousands of daffodils and narcissus, this year the field of flowers are expected to peak during the first week in May. 2 pm- 3:30 pm.

Tea Social & Daffodils, LITCHFIELD
Join Erin, LCC Staff member, for a scenic drive along Route 254 as the group venture sto Cutie Pie’s Bakery for tea, sweets, and friendly conversation. 1 pm – 3 pm.

An Evening with MADZ, WATERTOWN
Musical covers, Rock, Blues and oh yeah, some Irish stuff squeezed in. Join the 88 Keys Piano Bar & Cafe for a night of music by MADZ! 7 pm – 10:30 pm.

Closing Photo Reception, VILLAGE FALLS
The Hunt Library in Falls Village CT will host a closing celebration for the exhibition From the Great Falls to the Hilltops: Early 20th Century Photography from the Mabel Hallaway Collection. The event will feature a slideshow focusing on Mabel Hallaway and some of the people in her portraits including her brother Harry Edmund Dean, and community members Catherine Woodin and Grace Silvernale. Curator Garth Kobal will talk about his personal experience working on the project. 5 pm – 7 pm.

Anastasya Peña Art Show,
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome an art exhibit featuring works by Anastasya Peña. The exhibit, “Spillover,” will be on view beginning Friday, May 3. The show highlights Peña’s layered abstract paintings. A reception with the artist is being planned.

Rosemary Rose Finery Grand Opening, SALISBURY
Rosemary Rose Finery, on Main Street in Salisbury, is having its grand opening Friday, May 3 – May 5. The eclectic new jewelry shop will feature modern fine jewelry, vintage and costume jewelry, along with an array of artful objects for the home and heart. Owner Jessica DeCarlo, a Brooklyn-based jeweler for over 16 years is excited to meet you.

May 4

Spring Craft Fair, NEW MILFORD
Stop by New Milford and enjoy the Spring Craft Fair from 10 am – 3 pm on Main Street.

Reading the Landscape, WASHINGTON
Reading the natural landscape offers a planting palette that is both resilient and already adapted to your specific eco-region. Learn, at the Hollister House Garden, how to use native plant communities in your backyard and the surrounding habitats as a mirror for the types of plants that will survive and thrive in the built landscape. 10 am – 11:30 am.

80’s Dance Party 18+, LITCHFIELD
Break out the mullets and reeboks. Come join the Litchfield Community Center as Mischief makes it’s debut performance in Litchfield for this 80’s Themed Dance Party! 7 pm – 10 pm.

Star Wars Day, NEW MILFORD
May the Fourth Be With You! Celebrate Star Wars Day at the New Milford Library. Fun activities for all ages–trivia, crafts, and more. Plus, local middle school and high school students will performing Star Wars songs during the day. 1 pm – 3 pm.

Pickle Fest, BETHLEHEM
March Farm present’s Sweet Pete’s Pickle Fest, May 4 – 5 from 11 am to 6 pm. Tons of pickle inspired foods and drinks such as pickle grill cheese and fried pickles. Learn to make your own pickle products at the pickle demo at 1pm. There will be live music, crafts, the mobile pub and so much more.

Book Signing, WASHINGTON DEPOT
The Hickory Stick Bookshop is delighted to host Connecticut author Brendan Flaherty who will be here to sign copies of his new book “The Dredge” at  3 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

October Project Album, NORWALK
Join October Project (Emil Adler, Julie Flanders & Marina Belica) and special guests including Dave Sabatino and Leslie DiNicola LIVE for a celebration of music, poetry, and film at the album launch of their full-length studio recording, ‘The Ghost of Childhood’. Enjoy an evening of mini-performances, screenings, and a meet & greet with the band in an extraordinary setting, The House Up On the Hill in Norwalk. 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm.

May the 4th Kids Program, FALLS VILLAGE
Calling all kids and Jedis-in-Training! Join the David M. Hunt Library for Star Wars Day on Saturday, May 4th, from 10:30 am – 12 pm. After reading a Star Wars story, practice your Jedi skills with a make-your-own light saber station, a Jedi-in-Training obstacle course, Star Wars crafts, and light saber pretzels. May the Force be with you!

Family Day: Space Studies, WINSTED
AMP’s Family Days offer games, storytimes, and creative activities for the whole family to enjoy, Kids under 18 get in free. May the Fourth Be With You!  Join on Saturday, May 4, for imaginative activities for kids, tweens, and teens that focus on our quarterly theme of Space/Science.

Hotchkiss Philharmonic, LAKEVILLE
Don’t miss the exciting season finale of the Hotchkiss Philharmonic at 7:30 pm. Vive la France! This celebratory evening will feature pianists Fabio and Gisele Witkowski performing Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos in D Minor and maestro Vahan Mardirossian.

Kent Springfest, KENT
Celebrate spring in Kent, walk through the town and you will discover a myriad of places to visit. From Main Street to the Kent Barns you will find incredible restaurants and cafes, impeccable inns and bed and breakfasts.

Cinco De Mayo Celebration Featuring the Band BooYah Funk, WASHINGTON
Enjoy a night of great music and delicious food. The Swanson Foundation Food Truck will be serving delicious Mexican cuisine and The Mobile Pub will be serving their signature cocktail…the Margarita!

Smyrski Farm Bird Walk, NEW MILFORD
Join NCLC, and noted local Audubon birder, Angela Dimmitt, for an early morning bird walk through NCLC’s 220-acre Smyrski Farm, home to 65 species of birds (and counting). Bring binoculars and wear long pants and boots, as the grass may be high. 7 am – 9 am.

May 5

Cinco de Mayo with Bahama Mama & The Painkillers, NEW MILFORD
Be sure to wear your beach attire and get ready to chillout to some great Trop-Rock. Limbo and Hula Hoop contests with fun prizes. Beach chairs welcome. Bahama Mama and the Painkillers is a local CT based original beach band. With musical influences coming from Sublime, Jimmy Buffett, 311, Jack Johnson, and a bit of surf rock, this band will make you feel like your toes are in the sand with a drink in your hand. 4 pm – 7 pm.

Chamber Music Concert, ROXBURY
Long River Concerts is performing at 3 pm at the Roxbury Congregational Church, featuring Alissa Leiser, piano, and guest artist Natasha Brofsky, cello, a member of the award-winning Peabody Trio and on the faculty of The Juilliard School.

Spring Art Show @ Gallery 25, NEW MILFORD
The Gallery 25 Member’s Annual Spring Show runs from April 12 to June 9. The public is invited to view and enjoy some of their member artists’ best work in a wide variety of mediums including paintings, pottery, collages, assemblages, mixed media, photography, wood work, wearable art jewelry, and more not-to-be-missed works.

Watertown HS Spring Fest, WATERTOWN
Watertown High School Project Graduation & The Watertown Food & Fuel Bank Present – The 2024 Spring Festival! Enjoy music, dancing, magicians, and more. Admission – One non-perishable food item to benefit The Watertown Food Bank. 5 pm.

May 7

Ainissa Ramirez Event, NEW MILFORD
Celebrate National Inventors Month. Listen as scientist Ainissa Ramirez examines eight inventions and reveals how they shaped the human experience. Ramirez is the author of The Alchemy of Us, named one of Smithsonian Magazine’s Ten Best Science Books of 2020. 6 pm – 7 pm.

Exercise for Women, LITCHFIELD
Move Your Mind, Move Your Body: Exercise class for senior women at the Oliver Wolcott Library. Free – Live, In-Person & Live on Zoom – Registration required for In-Person. 10:15 am – 11 am.

Book Talk: Ryan Bernsten, FALLS VILLAGE
At 5:30 pm the David M. Hunt Library will host Ryan Bernsten, author of 50 States of Mind: A Journey to Rediscover American Democracy, who will speak about his book. Bernsten undertook a 23,000-mile journey through all 50 states of his home country to answer the question: Is America as divided as it seems?

May 8

Tea & Chocolate, HARWINTON
Celebrate Mom with a whimsical Tea Party celebration! Participants will dress in fancy hats to enjoy vintage displays, Mother’s Day trivia, poetry, and a sampling of teas, fine chocolates and baked goods. Licensed chocolatier Kim Larkin returns to the library to host this festive program. 12 and up.

Living w/CT’s Wildlife, LITCHFIELD
The “Living with Connecticut’s Wildlife” presentation focuses on how to live with and enjoy our wild neighbors. 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the Litchfield Community Center.

Beatles vs. Stones, TORRINGTON
These two legendary bands will engage in an on-stage, throw down – a musical ‘showdown’ if you will – courtesy of tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show. 7 pm at the Oneglia Auditorium.

Plein Air Watercolor Works, WOODBURY
Three session workshop with watercolor artist Diane Dubreuil at the Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust. The class is designed for anyone who wishes to begin painting ‘en plein air’ with watercolors or for those with some experience who may need help redirecting their creative thinking. 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. May 8, 9, and 10.

May 9

Plush at The Jameson Pub, WATERTOWN
Plush is a rock band with a mission to bring rock back to the forefront of the music industry. The band is composed of talented young women. Check them out at the Jameson Pub in Watertown 7 pm – 12:30 am.

Evening Glow Music, LITCHFIELD
Enjoy Evening Glow Music Series Spring Season for free at the Litchfield Community Center from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. All are welcome to join for relaxing and reflective music to close the day by Wendy Kerner, Harpist. Performances are followed by a reception with refreshments.

Peggy Mercury Opening, KENT
Peggy Mercury is a multi category boutique and gallery featuring beauty, accessories, art and objects. Join Kent Barns for their opening weekend with Peggy Mercury. May 9 –  May 12.

May 10

“A Bright Future” with author Joshua Goldstein, SALISBURY
Listen to a reading/discussion of “A Bright Future (How Some Countries Have Solved Climate Change and the Rest can Follow)” with author Joshua Goldstein at the Salisbury School. 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm.

Opening Reception, HARWINTON
Litchfield Hills Camera Club’s photography exhibition. Work will be on display in the Activity Room and Online Gallery during May and June. The Camera Club meets twice a month in the library and welcomes new members. 5  pm – 7 pm.

Fashion Show, LITCHFIELD
Want to dress with style? Have fun with vintage? Get some new tips and inspiration? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to shop at a consignment store? Come by the Oliver Wolcott Library for a fashion show with Rachel’s Quality Consignment Shop. Free – Live, In-Person only – Registration required. 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm.

18+ Trivia Night, LITCHFIELD
Join the Litchfield Community Center for Trivia with Trey. 6;30 pm – 8:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30, games begin at 7 pm. BYOB & Snacks to get your game on with Trey.

May 11

Sumi-e Painting, WASHINGTON
Learn the basic techniques of sumi-e, Japanese black ink painting with Joanne Wasti. Using the blossoming magnolias of Hollister House Garden as inspiration, each participant will create original sumi-e ink paintings. While you will be using black ink, colors will be available to those who want to branch out. This class is suitable for all levels. 1 pm – 4 pm.

Poetry Contest Readings, NEW MILFORD
Join the New Milford Library for the Winners of the New Milford Poetry Contest reading their poems. This is a FREE event from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Madama Butterfly at the Warner Theater, TORRINGTON
Join the Warner Theater for a performance of Madam Butterfly. 12:55 pm in the Nancy Marine Studio. 

Book Signing, WASHINGTON DEPOT
The Hickory Stick Bookshop is delighted to host author Jack Sheedy who will sign copies of his new book In My Father’s Tire Tracks at 3 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

ArtWall Reception, FALLS VILLAGE
From 4 pm – 6 pm, the David M. Hunt Library will host an opening reception for A Star Danced: The Paintings of Mary Anne Carley and Theresa Kenny. The exhibition features the work of two Sharon-based painters who happen to be mother and daughter.

Audubon Event, SHARON
Join Sharon Audubon’s celebration of World Migratory Bird Day. There will be a native plant display and sale as well.
10 am – 1 pm.

May 12

Miracle Island – Kenise Barnes Fine Art, KENT
Check out Sharon resident, Kozik’s, artwork. Minor miracles mostly surface from the rhythms of her day. Prosaic encounters of beauty during hikes, strolls, and swims simmer on the back burner of her mind until stirred up and warmed they knock on her door, demanding to be painted. Show runs from March 30 – May 12 at Kenise Barnes Fine Art.

Materia Mothers Day Prix Fixe Brunch and Dinner a la carte, BANTAM
Join Materia for Mothers Day! Enjoy a Prix fixe Brunch from 11 am – 2 pm or Dinner a la carte from 4 pm – 7 pm.

May 16

Meet The Author, LITCHFIELD
Meet Richard Deming – Author of This Exquisite Loneliness from 7 pm – 8 pm at the Oliver Wolcott Library or on zoom. This event is free to the public.

Asking For Trouble, TORRINGTON
Join the Warner Theater and get ready for an evening of sidesplitting laughter as Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, the dynamic duo from TV’s “Whose Line is it Anyway?,” take the stage in a one-night-only uproarious live show, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Asking for Trouble. 7:30 pm in the Oneglia Auditorium.

May 17

A Weekend Workshop, WASHINGTON
Dig deep into the fundamentals of gardening in this weekend-long, intensive workshop with Daryl Beyers. Whether you are new to gardening or have a few seasons under your belt, this comprehensive course will develop and refine your skills. May 17, 4 pm – 7 pm, May 18, 10 am – 3:30 pm, and May 19, 10 am – 3:30 pm.

Friday Feast & Dancing Feet, LITCHFIELD
Join the Litchfield Community Center for an afternoon of dancing, delicious food, and great company while listening to the band Over Easy! Pre-registration is required at least 2 days in advance.

Marcia Zug Author Event, NEW MILFORD
Come and listen to Marcia Zug talk about her book, You’ll Do: A History of Marrying for Reasons Other Than Love at the New Milford Public Library. The book takes a deep dive into the unromantic, but much more common than most would think, reasons for marrying throughout history. 5 pm – 6 pm.

Kevin James: Owls Don’t Walk, TORRINGTON
Returning by popular demand – Kevin James will be at the Warner Theatre on May 17 at 7:30 pm.

May 18

Litchfield Art Festival 2024, NEW CANAAN
Fourth annual outdoor juried fine art show, “Litchfield Art Festival 2024″. This show will be a highlight for collectors and residents from the Tri-State region, New England, and beyond. May 18–19, 10 am. – 5 pm.

Fenimore Lane Design Summit, WASHINGTON
Join Fenimore Lane Design for a celebration of design in the countryside and shop our all-day design bazaar, featuring 30+ vendors and renowned designers under two tents at this exquisite country retreat. 11 am – 1 pm | 1 pm – 3 pm | 3 pm – 5 pm.

Plant Sale, WASHINGTON DEPOT
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to its fourth annual plant sale and Gardenpalooza 10 am to 1 pm. The sale features a variety of perennials, annuals, flowers, vegetable, and herb plants available from Meadowbrook Gardens.

Plant, Book & Bake Sale, HARWINTON
The Harwinton Library Friends are sponsoring their annual Plant, Book and Bake Sale. Stop in for plants and baked goods generously donated by local residents as well as visit our basement for gently used books. All proceeds support library programs. 9:30 am – 2 pm.

2nd Home Blues Return!, WINSTED
Join the 2nd Home Lounge when the 2nd Home Blues return to this cozy new spot. It’s a bar and cafe cleverly disguised as a comfortable living room!.Craft beers, local wines and spirits, and creative cuisine along with some lively Blues and Americana from Slim & St. George make for a great time! 7 pm – 10 pm.

Homegrown Plant Sale, FALLS VILLAGE
The David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village will host its annual Homegrown Plant Sale from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, and 9 am to 2 mp on Sunday. Falls Village’s own growers, gardeners, and CSAs will provide a wide variety of plants, including a large selection of tomatoes, vegetables, annuals and perennials, and houseplants including potted geraniums and hanging baskets from HVRHS. Proceeds benefit the Hunt Library and HVRHS.

Music in the Nave’s “Mozart in May”, KENT
The Manhattan String Quartet will inaugurate Music in the Nave’s “Mozart in May” programming May 18 at 4 pm at St. Andrew’s Church in Kent. The Manhattan String Quartet has toured the world and released landmark recordings such as the complete Shostakovich quartets.

Adventurous Aging, CORNWALL
At 6 pm, the Cornwall CT Library presents a special evening with Caroline Paul, author of Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking—How Outdoor Adventure Improves Us as We Age.

Spring Gala & Auction, SHARON
Support the work of the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon, and have a great time doing so at its Spring Gala from 5 pm – 7 pm. Set in a spectacular mountain top home, the event will feature locally sourced food, drinks, music, silent and live auctions and a paddle raise. Sponsored by Tri State F.E.E.D. committed to enhancing regional food security and resiliency through education, advocacy & collaboration.

Greenwoods Annual Gala 2024, WASHINGTON
Greenwoods’ annual benefit is a critical source of funding for the comprehensive mental healthcare that they provide to the community. This year they are proud to honor Pam Bowman with the Jane L Havemeyer award. Help them celebrate Greenwoods’ incredible growth by sponsoring this year’s event! 6 pm – 8:30 pm.

May 19

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, LITCHFIELD
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is an international men’s march where men and boys lead the way to end sexual and domestic violence by walking one mile in red high-heeled shoes. 10:30 am – 11:30 am.

Trade Secrets Rare Plants and Garden Antiques Sale, LAKEVILLE
Join Trade Secrets for their rare plant and garden antiques sale at Lime Rock Park. The event begins at 7:30 am.

May 22

Evening with Johannes Brahm, LITCHFIELD
Pianist Joseph Jacovino and clarinetist Vincent de Luise will perform selections from Brahms’ Lieder and the piano Rhapsodies, and a Brahms chamber music masterpiece for clarinet and piano at the Litchfield Community Center from 7 pm – 8 pm.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, LITCHFIELD OR ZOOM
Mark Schenker returns to the Oliver Wolcott Library to lead discussions on two 20th c. American novels by women: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943) by Betty Smith (1896-1972) and The Optimist’s Daughter (1972) by Eudora Welty (1909-2001). 2 pm – 3:30 pm.

May 25

Get GardenFit, WASHINGTON
Learn how to work stronger and longer with Madeline Hooper, creator and host of the hit National Public Television series, “GardenFit”, at Hollister House Garden. By applying the basic principles of balance, form, and habit to your garden chores you can take care of your body while taking care of your garden. 10 am – 11:30 am.

The Fungus Among Us with Dave Paton, LITCHFIELD
Dave Paton is just plain giddy about mushrooms and wants to share his enthusiasm with you. Spend a couple of hours in the forest with Dave learning do’s and don’ts, basic identification, and stories behind all of the fungus among us! 10 am – 11:30 am at the White Memorial Conservation Center.

Art Show Opening, WASHINGTON DEPOT
The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to welcome an art exhibit featuring works by Jack Rosenberg. The exhibit, “Dancing to the Colors of Life,” will be on view beginning Friday, May 24. The show highlights Rosenberg’s representational paintings using bold colors, and his ceramic work. An opening reception will be held Saturday, May 25 from 4 pm to 6 pm.

May 26

Mine Hill Gravel Challenge, ROXBURY
Are you ready for the toughest road half marathon in Connecticut?!  The Mine Hill Half Marathon is one of the most beautiful, yet breathtaking (both visually and physically!) races you will run.  Experience sweeping country views past farms, fields, and vistas.  With the start/finish at the Mine Hill Distillery. 7 am packet pickup, 8:30 am start.

Hagerty Cars & Caffeine Car Show at Lime Rock Park    ,
The Hagerty Cars & Caffeine Car Show at Lime Rock Park is open to all classic, vintage, exotic, and motorcycles. Show entry will include: 2 weekend passes 2 people Sunday-Monday to the Vintage and Trans Am Auto Race – Touring on the raceway in your show car Monday during the lunch hour – VIP Parking — Full access to the racecar paddock.

May 30

Meet Your Greens, NEW MILFORD
Join NCLC, Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust, Deer Pond Farm, Great Hollow Nature Preserve and Ecological Research Center, Housatonic Valley Association, Kent Land Trust, and Warren Land Trust at Housatonic River Brewing on Thursday, May 30 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. This casual event is free, open to the public, and an excellent opportunity to get to know others working or volunteering in the conservation field. 5 pm – 7 pm.

May 31

Walt Whitman Performance, NEW MILFORD
Celebrate Walt Whitman’s birthday with this splendid one-man show. Since the late 1990’s, Stephen Collins’ performances have captured the attention of the audience. It is not just the stunning resemblance to Walt Whitman himself, but the portrayal of the character and the essence that he brings within arm’s reach to the audience that makes the poet come to life. 5 pm – 6 pm at the New Milford Library.

Five Points Arts’ Interior Courtyard Grand Opening VIP Cocktail Reception, TORRINGTON
You’re invited to the Five Points Arts’ Interior Courtyard grand opening cocktail reception. Enjoy the newly renovated Interior Courtyard, jazz by Peter McEachern’s FREQUENCIES, exclusive previews of the Juried Print Exhibition, specialty hors d’oeuvres, wine, and Five Points Arts edition beer, and cocktails by Litchfield Distillery. 6 pm – 8 pm.

A New Market in an Iconic Setting Finds Its Way Home

By Cynthia Hochswender

Photos by Ryan Lavine

For decades it was known as Baird’s, a market and sandwich shop at the intersection of Routes 4 and 7 in Cornwall. When the Baird family moved on to other projects, the new owners named their store the Cornwall Country Market—but many locals referred to it as “New Baird’s,” while the store of their memories was known as “Old Baird’s.”

Will Schenk is the newest owner of the iconic space, which he purchased in late 2022, renovated extensively, and opened as the Cornwall Market in January 2024. 

Schenk is a “tech” guy (his current project involves electric vehicles), but his partner in the market is chef Tyler Forvé, a friend from many years ago. A few years ago they started a cocoa bean company in Colombia, and began making artisan chocolates. Their goal was to have consumers begin to understand the distinctions between cocoa beans, in the same way that many Americans now seek specific coffee beans, or specific wine grapes. 

It is the chocolate business that is at the heart of the new market, with a curated selection of bon-bons made on the premises, in flavors such as passionfruit-caramel-whiskey and mandarin-lime-wild mint. Eventually Schenk and Forvé plan to sell the chocolates to a wider audience.

In addition to the one kitchen dedicated to chocolates there is also a special pastry kitchen that produces cookies, doughnuts, flaky croissants, chocolate-pistachio babkas, cardamom buns, and more. 

The main kitchen produces sandwiches, salads, and daily soup specials. Particularly popular has been the falafel sandwich, which is made with fresh green chickpeas, not the canned or dried beans that are commonly used. Also in demand: The pulled pork sandwich, with meat cooked over firewood on a grill in the yard behind the market (which will soon have seats for outdoor dining).

Some “to-go” items are found in the refrigerated cases, which also act as storage space for the chefs. Shoppers can pick up rare edibles such as purple broccolini, French breakfast radishes, royal truffle mushrooms, and fresh lemongrass, which also appear as ingredients in that day’s meals. There are containers of “Ron’s Kimchi” and “Mild Beatnik Purple Rain Vegan Curry.” In the freezer case are store made ice creams in exotic flavors such as matcha-mozzarella-guava, candy cap (like the mushroom), and mango creamsicle.

On the unrefrigerated open shelves are baskets of fresh garlic, dried chili peppers, and fresh spices. There is also a room dedicated to local products such as honey and maple syrup—and household essentials, such as children’s Tylenol. 

With that range of products, he hopes the market will become a destination for locals, and a stop for visitors here on vacation or driving along Route 7.

“I’m trying to have something for all our constituents,” he says. For now that includes Korean rice balls, gorgeous soups, small meals, housemade nut mixes, flours and grains from Wild Hive in Clinton Corners, a sophisticated spread called “Untella,” housemade granolas, and trail mixes. Everything is made from scratch. 

It is truly a moveable feast.

Go to Cornwallmarket.com for store hours.

By Brandee Coleman Gilmore

Lindera at The Fen is not your typical plant nursery. It’s your ECOtypical one. 

To explain what that means, you need to meet Michele Paladino, Matthew Sheehan, and Heather Liljengren, three New York city transplants who found each other through a love of the land. Sheehan, a produce and willow farmer, moved to Sharon 12 years ago after a teaching career in the NYC public schools. Liljengren has a budding landscape business, LocalLand Consulting, in Washington, after spending 15 years in the NYC Parks Department. Former Brooklyn nursery owner Paladino now operates as a grower and landscape designer on the same property as Sheehan—the resident ‘plant whisperer.’ This trio is at the forefront of a growing movement to restore native habitats in a better way—what Liljengren refers to as the new gold standard—using ecotypes.

“It’s about the right plant in the right place,” says Paladino.

In recent decades, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency helped draw up maps of ecoregions in North America, where growing conditions such as climate, soil, and geology are taken into consideration, like hardiness zones, only better. Two ecoregions cut across Litchfield County—#58 and #59. The plants and animals thriving inside them are known as ecotypes.

“If you’re going to move seed around, and you’re going to move plants around you should try to stay within your ecoregion because that’s where those genetics are adapted to, and that’s where they’re going to perform the best,” says Liljengren.

Ironically, the problem is obtaining these hyper-local ecotypes. Most of the ‘native plants’ for sale are grown in the Midwest or South. That’s why these three have gotten to work. As a botanist, Liljengren can identify and collect native plants in Litchfield’s ecoregions. Paladino knows how to harvest their seeds and grow them. That just leaves one gap, a place to set up shop. This is where farmer Matthew Sheehan comes in.

“I would not only like to grow seed myself, but also teach local farmers to grow seed, too.”

He says it’s not a major shift.

“You’re not changing techniques, you’re not buying new equipment… you’re basically not planting one plant, and you’re planting another.”

Liljengren says there’s an added lure for farmers. “Adding a few row crops in, not only are they going to help produce seed, but also attract pollinators which only are going to then help and benefit the food crops that are grown on site.”

Sheehan’s plot of ‘ecoregion 58 plants’ will create new seeds that can be sold, or nurtured into seedlings by Paladino for local landscapers or homeowners to buy. Lindera at The Fen plans to have seedlings available at Trade Secrets in Sharon, and will host walking tours this summer in conjunction with their ecoregion 59 counterpart, Tiny Meadow Farm in Danbury. Both want to be a resource for those seeking to preserve more of what makes Litchfield County special, says Paladino.

“To me, the true uniqueness is the land. And the land provides for these plants in a way that’s really distinct.”

How It Was Born, How It’s Spreading Its Rainbow Wings

By Linda Tuccio-Koonz

When it comes to celebrating and improving the lives of people in the LGBTQ+ community, there’s much to be done. Pride in the Hills is helping, with everything from film festivals and scholarships, to funding gay-straight alliances to reduce bullying in schools. “Anything to spread the word, spread the love, spread the support,” says Chris Herrmann, a founding member. “It’s all about creating safe spaces and awareness.”

Inclusive events, such as cultural festivals, create environments where LGBTQ+ youth can feel like they’re not a minority. “For some of these kids, it’s the first time they feel part of a majority; that creates a safe space,” says Herrmann, a filmmaker who lives in New Preston with his husband, Joseph Lorino. “We’ve funded and developed all these programs and made a huge impact in just six years, it’s amazing actually,” he says, of the organization, serving Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills.

Members say advocacy is needed because there’s a void in Connecticut. Some people just don’t feel comfortable being out here. Also, some kids from difficult backgrounds are struggling. “I’ve met kids who’ve gotten thrown out of their house for being gay. So, you know, there is a void for a place for them to go, to be safe.”

Pride in the Hills, including a dedicated advisory board, funds programs through benefits such as its silent auction, June 9, hosted by New Preston Pride and The Owl. “The restaurant has a big terrace. We usually have a couple hundred people, it’s very festive. Everyone comes together to donate money and auction items. We raised $35,000 last year,” Herrmann says, of the Pride Month event. Quassy Friends & Family Fun Day follows, June 22, at the Middlebury amusement park. “We had 400 kids and their families last year,” Herrmann says. It’s a wonderful day where folks enjoy the chance “to just be themselves.”

Simply getting to be yourself isn’t always easy for LGBTQ+ kids. Sara Wendrow, LMSW, of New Milford Youth Agency, says grant money from Pride in the Hills has helped enhance offerings such as its support group and annual Pride Prom. “The group has given students a chance to speak their truths,” says the social worker. “Pride Prom brings together LGBTQIA+ youth from surrounding towns to create a larger network of support and acceptance.”

The grant also supports placement of a prominent Pride billboard during Pride Month, “promoting inclusivity and kindness for all,” Wendrow says. “We couldn’t be more appreciative.”

Pride in the Hills has raised over $500,000 since its inception. Among its many fans are Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia of Spring Hill Vineyards in New Preston, home of Spring Hill Arts Gathering, aka SHAG. “When we were just starting out,” Herrmann says, “we’d meet at the vineyard’s picnic tables and drink wine and brainstorm about fundraisers we’d have. Stephanie came up and said ‘Hi! I’m Stephanie!’ I explained what we were doing and she said, ‘I’m interested!’ The next thing you know, we had our first fundraiser there.

“They loved it. It’s just a fun, vibrant, creative event. The next year she said, ‘Can we partner with you for SHAG with Pride in the Hills?’ So, they give us one day every year at the SHAG festival. We get our own day!” SHAG with Pride in the Hills draws premium talent and big crowds (900 attended last year). Performers have included culturally diverse artists from Grammy-nominee Sophie B. Hawkins to Betty Who and Jake Wesley Rogers. This year’s event is still in formation, but Herrmann says, “We always aim for every color of the LGBTQ+ rainbow in our programming.” —prideinthehills.org

Adrenaline, Excitement, and Camaraderie
By Clementina Verge

Imagine a place without speed limits, where drivers maintain ultimate control of thousands of pounds of metal and hundreds of horsepower. Now imagine doing so at some of the most prestigious race tracks in the world.

This thrill belongs to Lime Rock Drivers Club members whose coveted privileges include private track driving time, car control clinics, hospitality, guest services, terrific camaraderie, and now, expanded reciprocal privileges.

Domestic track experiences at Palmer in Massachusetts, Thompson in Connecticut, and the National Corvette Museum track in Bowling Green, Kentucky, are just the beginning. Members also have access to exciting international outings, including Germany’s Nurburgring Nordschleife, Ascari, a private race track in Spain’s Andalusia region, and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, home to the Belgian Grand Prix.

“These are bucket list tracks and moments,” relates LRDC member, Torsten Gross. “The club is giving me access to experiences that I normally would not have been exposed to, and expanding horizons and relationships.” 

Throughout the year, LRDC participates in various events, such as a two-day track driving experience at Watkins Glen International, New York. In 2024, members can participate in a UK weekend and enjoy driving on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in Kent, England, followed by the three-day Goodwood Revival. 

Located south of London in Chichester, on the estate of the Goodwood House, the revival is among the world’s most popular race meetings, recreating the golden era of motor sport from the 1950s and 1960s with its incredible array of classic and historic cars, from vintage Ferraris to iconic Jaguars. 

“It may easily be the best party in the world,” conveys Simon Kirkby, internationally-renowned coach and director of Lime Rock Drivers Club. 

The good times continue year-round for members and their spouses. In winter, fun outings include Monza Karting at Foxwoods, the nation’s only indoor karting track. 

Chasing camaraderies and greatness is nothing new at Lime Rock Park. For 64 years, the world-class racing facility in Salisbury has attracted greats including the legendary Paul Newman, NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Gordon, and Skip Barber, founder of the distinguished racing school bearing his name.

It is a legacy that the club and its members cherish. The 1.5-mile Lime Rock course looks simple, but elevation changes and seven adrenaline-inducing turns are no easy feat, especially when milliseconds count. A recently-paved, nearly one-mile proving grounds track used for car control, fully-paved paddocks, new restrooms, gardens, ponds, and spectator areas canopied by beautiful trees add practicality and beauty.

Ultimately, Lime Rock allows drivers not only to challenge personal capabilities, but to experience a car’s maximum potential in an ever-changing environment.

“No day on the track ever gets boring because every track has a life of its own,” Gross reflects. “Tracks are living, breathing, changing experiences shaped daily by temperatures, light, speeds, rubber, and other factors. The more tracks you drive, the better driver you become, and that’s really the Lime Rock Drivers Club purpose: 

You will find people here who will nurture you on your journey at whatever point of the journey you’re in. That’s very special. As long as you have a passion for driving, you’re welcome here.” —limerockclub.com —goodwood.com 

A Rambling Garden Is a Tribute To One Couple’s Love for Litchfield and Each Other

By Paul Marcarelli

Photos by Ryan Lavine

Even before Sylvia and Jay Abbott were given keys to Marshfields, Sylvia had her hands in the soil. Elizabeth Renshaw, the elderly owner of the 1790 Litchfield farmhouse, wouldn’t sign the contract, it seemed, until she could observe how this young mom handled herself in a garden.

What Miss Renshaw didn’t know was that Sylvia is fourth in a line of avid women gardeners. Gardening is in Sylvia Abbott’s DNA. 

50 years later, Sylvia is a revered member of both the Litchfield Garden Club and the Garden Club of America, a floral designer, educator, and recipient of GCA’s Katharine Thomas Cary Medal. But her crowning achievement is Marshfields. 

The garden as it appears today began in 1973 with a yew hedgerow separating the yard from surrounding fields. Asked if she had worked from a plan, Sylvia responds with characteristic modesty. “Over time the garden tells you the plan. I just plant things I like.” Marshfield’s plan is to play with your senses: Countless perennials mingle in harmonious profusion, while buzzing pollinators and the susurration of the surrounding meadows whisper permission to touch plants assembled for texture as much as for their visual attributes. And the individual fragrances from heirloom roses, lilac, and mock orange all take over where the others leave off.

A rare private tour with the owners is likely to start in the ancient barn, once Litchfield’s Catholic church, which was moved from South Street after a fire in the 19^th century. There, Jay hosts game dinners with homemade grappa under a sign that reads “No Whining.” 

In Marshfield’s orchards you start to realize just how personal this place is. The old peach tree served as backdrop to Sylvia’s favorite photo of their three grandchildren. The quince tree produces the Abbott family’s favorite Christmas gift of membrillo and Manchego. “The kind of gift that makes it look like you know your stuff,” Jay says with a wink. 

One pear tree has produced just four pears in 50 years. “But we love it,” Sylvia says, patting its trunk for encouragement. And she can’t bear to remove a massive fallen apple tree. “We’ll just see what we can save.” 

Jay then points out a sapling that didn’t take. “This one has to go, Syl,” he says, snapping off a brittle twig for emphasis. 

 “Well, don’t be too mean. Wait and see,” Sylvia replies, still holding out hope. At the mention of a Youtuber that advises against sentimentality while gardening, Sylvia scoffs, “If it’s not personal, what’s the point?” She then indicates a stand of trees and shrubs planted for friends and family near, far, and long-deceased. “That one’s Dot and Clayton’s,” she says. “The one over there we call the Millard’s tree.” She cranes her neck to admire a towering thuja beside it. “Mom brought me that one in a coffee can. And this chestnut tree here went in after a trip to Paris while the chestnuts were in bloom.”

“April in Paris…” Jay whispers wistfully, sharing a knowing look with his wife of 63 years.

In order to ensure this love will live on far into the future, the Abbotts have put 30 acres of Marshfields into a conservation easement with the Litchfield Land Trust. At the parcel’s center sits a pond the couple put in decades ago. “I thought it was nuts,” Sylvia confides, “Then I figured, he doesn’t gamble, he doesn’t drink that much, and as far as I know he doesn’t have a girlfriend, so why not let him have his pond? And anyway, he promised me an island. How many people get their own island?”

A Locavore’s Guide to Mushroom Cultivation and Foraging

By Zachary Schwartz

Litchfield County is not a meteorological monolith. The region hosts a diversity of microclimates across its plentiful hills, valleys, forests, rivers, and lakes. This array of topographies and corresponding weather patterns make Litchfield County an agricultural heartland. In more recent years, one particular genre of farming has exploded in popularity: mushroom cultivation and foraging. Seen everywhere from farmers markets to viral TikTok videos to the HBO hit TV show “The Last of Us,” mushrooms are having a moment.

From Kent to Colebrook, it’s common to identify fungi like morels, chanterelles, amber jelly, puffballs, and turkey tails along forest trails and fields. Mushrooms vary based on characteristics like color, shape, texture, gills, pores, location, spore print, and cap color. There are thousands of species of fungi, and many can be found here in the Litchfield Hills.

In Northwest Connecticut, mushrooms grow all year, though they fruit most frequently in spring and summer. According to horticulturist and forager, Rana Justice, September is the sweet spot for regional fungi growth, particularly for maitake, lion’s mane, and chicken of the woods. She teaches interactive mushroom inoculation workshops at Husky Meadows Farm in Norfolk. Students learn how to inoculate logs in the farm’s mushroom yard, then enjoy a meal of mushroom dumplings, crostini, and tea.

Mushrooms offer significant health benefits, including gut microbiome cleansing, cardiovascular support, and energy-boosting traits. “Years ago I started to learn about medicinal mushrooms, like reishi and chaga. All of these mushrooms around us have such a mental and physical health benefit,” says Justice. She forages reishi and chaga locally to be dried, steeped in hot water, and then drained as tea, which can be optionally sweetened with Connecticut maple syrup. They can also be dehydrated, soaked in grain alcohol, and then distilled into anti-inflammatory tinctures. Of course, they can be plucked, sliced, and simply pan fried for a salubrious treat. Aside from edible consumption, mushrooms are touted as a new frontier for sustainable production, as seen through designer mushroom leather handbags from Hermès and Stella McCartney, compostable Styrofoam replacements, and psilocybin used for psychological therapy.

Cultivating gourmet mushrooms at home is low effort and requires short timelines. Beginners can purchase mushroom blocks of mycelium-infused sawdust online from Maine at northspore.com, or from local growers like mushroom expert Gerry Moerschell of CT Wild Harvest. When placed on a kitchen counter and exposed to air and water, mushroom blocks will yield fresh shiitakes to cook at home. “Growing mushrooms is fun and unlike anything else. It’s rewarding, and they sprout fast,” says Moerschell.

As taught through courses at Husky Meadows Farm, intermediate growers can harvest dried tree logs, inoculate them with mycelium substrate, protect them with organic paraffin wax, and then set them aside in a shaded, humid, and wind-protected outdoor area. “One of the best ways to get started at home is to grow mushrooms on logs outside. The best ones specifically for our area are shiitakes and oysters because they grow well around here,” says Moerschell.

When it comes to foraging mushrooms locally, Justice and Moerschell recommend a handful of best practices to abide by. Only forage if you know the exact mushroom type. Forage sustainably, and always leave some mushrooms behind to support the local ecosystem. Check multiple resources before consuming to avoid poisonous varieties, and don’t eat if there is any hesitation. Importantly, consider taking a course with a local mushroom foraging specialist or mycologist, and then get to foraging in the woods of your own backyard.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Entertainment

By Clementina Verge

Photo by Sarah Farrell

On a narrow backcountry road in New Milford, you’ll find an art center whose motto—”Come curious. Leave inspired.”—does just that considering the long and impressive lineup of entertainment luminaries it has hosted for more than 70 years. 

Upon its inception in 1952, the Merryall Center for Arts began as a private, social club-like gathering place uniting area residents and weekenders from New York City, reminisces board member Dean Gray. Since then, it has morphed into a cultural hub for Litchfield County, featuring eclectic and cutting-edge programming from various genres, including theater, musical performances, film, and lectures. 

 “We don’t know of any other place like this,” notes Gray. “It’s a really sweet spot off the beaten path and we want to invite more people to discover it.”

Those who have graced its stage include artistic greats like Academy-award winning actor Fredric March, legendary contralto Marian Anderson, singer Eartha Kitt—once called “the most exciting woman in the world”—and lawyer and author, Jeffrey Toobin. 

When its 2024 season begins in May, the Merryall will feature three Connecticut-premiering musicals produced off-Broadway and regionally, along with instrumentalists and composers. Also gracing the stage will be singer/songwriters including Nick Petrone, Violet Willows, and Caravan of Thieves, along with contemporary classic composer Gregory Mertl and—hailing from Kyoto, Japan—world-music guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto. 

From jazz, to folk, pop, and classical, the diverse musical offerings represent not just the alluring power of sound, but capture the community’s tastes and interests, notes board member Rob Brereton, a worldwide performer considered to be one of the pioneers in contemporary mountain dulcimer playing. 

With a seating capacity of only 75, the center fosters intimate and energizing experiences.

“The audience enjoys sitting in the same room with an artist, becoming part of the art. Afterwards, artists stay and interact,” explains Ellen Corsell. “It’s a rare, personal connection.”

Sipped under sparkling lights, a glass of wine enjoyed on a beautiful deck overlooking the Aspetuck River is part of pre-performance magic, says Gray, adding that the building has undergone continuous improvements since its origins.

In the 1960s, a stage was added, the heating and plumbing systems were improved, and a lavatory, terrace, and kitchen were installed. Continuous use took its toll and in the 1990s, the building nearly succumbed into the Aspetuck River. Saved by a state grant, total rehabilitation included a new foundation and basement. Improvements continue even today, with new curtains and a computerized lightboard controlling the new theatrical lighting system currently in the works. The nonprofit relies on its patrons and donor generosity as much as ever—every dollar bringing “more music, more theater, more joy.” 

“It really is a place like no other, a one-stop for all entertainment,” remarks Gray. “You don’t need to drive to Boston or New York. You can enjoy it all right in our own beautiful backyard. You’d be hard-pressed to find another place as diverse and accessible to everybody.” ––merryallcenter.org

KMR Arts presents The Spell of Time by Andrew Moore. Opening reception and book signing with the artist, Saturday, June 1, 2024, 2-5pm.

Andrew Moore describes his work: “Here is a forest wading into a river. Here, a tangle of saplings penning a private script. Here is an artist in the act of making a landscape, a picture that feels familiar—didn’t Cole paint that? Didn’t Church? The first American painters in the Hudson River Valley saw the landscape as uniquely wild, a sublime symbol for the vast wilderness of the so-called New World. This world was not new, not wild, not, in the end, even that vast. Images of it went from mysterious to familiar with astonishing speed—until the actual landscapes came to resemble folding picture postcards of themselves. Today, any instagrammer can put herself in the picture. The Hudson River Art Trail offers signage at trailheads saying ‘Step into a landscape painting.’ Snap, tag, post—I was here—and then we too become one more piece of digitized data, one more ghost in the machine.”

Moore’s work is represented in public collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Library of Congress, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Yale University Art Gallery, among others. Four monographs of his work have been published: Inside Havana; Russia Detroit Disassembled and Andrew Moore: Cuba. 

2 Titus Rd, Washington Depot, kmrarts.com